British National Party leader Nick Griffin is to fight Keighley at the General Election.

The far-right leader this week announced his decision to take on the sitting Labour MP Ann Cryer.

He was invited to contest the constituency by members in Keighley, which already has two BNP councillors sitting on Bradford Council.

Mr Griffin's original intention was to fight high profile politician David Blunkett in his Sheffield Brightside seat until he resigned from the Cabinet.

Mr Griffin, who lives in Wales, said: "I have been asked to stand by people in Keighley. I want a high profile campaign. It is one of the best seats."

Mr Griffin said he believed he could get serious issues out into the open in Keighley by standing as a candidate.

Cllr Chris Kirkby, who holds Bradford Council's Worth Valley seat for the BNP and is organiser of the BNP in Keighley, said: "We are over the moon. Over Christmas we had a feeling we could get him. We were originally looking for someone local but our members decided we would ask him."

He said he hoped Mr Griffin would tackle the "lies and smears" said about the party.

He would concentrate on highlighting crime, drugs and the problem of safety on the streets.

Mr Griffin was arrested last month on suspicion of inciting racial hatred. He was released on police bail.

In July he was seen in a BBC undercover documentary, Secret Agent, condemning Islam and also speaking at a meeting in Keighley.

Karl Poulsen, the prospective Tory election candidate, said: "I'm not interested in the personalities of who else stands in Keighley at the general election. I'm more interested in discussing my party's policies and how we will give Keighley more police, cleaner hospitals, better school discipline, control immigration, lower taxes and be accountable for our actions in government. The only way of replacing Tony Blair as Prime Minister is by voting for me.

Mrs Cryer said she felt "deep regret" at the announcement that Mr Griffin was standing.

She added: "I think, unfortunately, his presence could hijack the whole atmosphere of the General Election. I enjoy elections and have had good elections in Keighley and there has been no rancour with other parliamentary candidates.

"We have had differences and been able to argue the issues. I fear this could get very personal, but I will cope with it along with other parties which will be putting up local people. There are problems in Keighley but you solve them by finding solutions."